Juab County’s name comes from the Ute word "yoab" meaning "thirsty plain" or "level plain." This describes much of the County’s landscape, except for the Rocky Mountains found on the Eastern border of the county. While farming brought the early pioneers in 1851, precious metals found in 1869 made the area profitable (over $35 million) for mining through the 1950’s. The city of Nephi, originally named Salt Creek, became known as “Little Chicago” in the late 1900’s because of its many businesses on main street.

Today, visitors pass through Nephi while traveling on Interstate 15. Visitors can still see the farming areas to the west of the freeway and Salt Creek Canyon to the east. South of Nephi, you can find water recreation activities at Yuba Lake State Park. This reservoir was created by a dam which was named the U.B. Dam by the farmers who were forced to build it and later changed to Yuba. If visiting during the month of July be sure to catch the Ute Stampede Rodeo, one of “Utah’s largest celebrations.”

Yuba Lake and Sevier Bridge Reservoir - Juab County

Alfalfa Field and Faceted Spurs -Southern Wasatch
Mountains - Juab County. These peaks are part of the Wasatch Range
and are just north of Mt. Nebo.